The relationship between problem gambling and depression is well documented. However, there are few studies that have explored the mechanisms that may help maintain the association between depression symptoms and problem gambling. This study tests the assumption that gambling for escape and excitement may either mediate or moderate the relationship between depression and problem gambling. To test these propositions, 282 adults who gambled at least once a month were recruited to complete an online survey that assessed depression severity, the gambling outcomes expectancies of escape and excitement and problem gambling. The study did not find evidence for a mediation effect for either escape or excitement, although escape moderated the relationship between depression and problem gambling. In particular, there was not a relationship between depression and problem gambling when there was low endorsement of the escape gambling outcomes expectancies. However, the relationship between depression and problem gambling strengthened when endorsement of gambling as an escape increased. This indicates that individuals with elevated levels of depression symptoms, and who view gambling as a way to moderate mood states, may be at higher risk for problem gambling than those who hold less favourable views towards gambling as a mood modifier. This suggests it may be helpful to consider the gambling expectancies of gamblers experiencing problems when formulating educational and treatment initiatives, especially with those experiencing heightened levels of depressive symptoms.

问题赌博和抑郁症之间的关系是有据可查的。然而，很少有研究探索可能有助于维持抑郁症状与问题赌博之间关联的机制。这项研究检验了这样一个假设，即为逃避和兴奋而赌博可能会调解或缓和抑郁症与问题赌博之间的关系。为了验证这些命题，282 名每月至少赌博一次的成年人被招募来完成一项在线调查，该调查评估了抑郁症的严重程度、逃避和兴奋的赌博结果预期以及问题赌博。该研究没有发现逃避或兴奋的中介效应的证据，尽管逃避缓和了抑郁症和问题赌博之间的关系。特别是，当逃避赌博结果预期的认可度较低时，抑郁症与问题赌博之间没有关系。然而，当对赌博作为一种逃避方式的认可增加时，抑郁症与问题赌博之间的关系得到加强。这表明，与那些对赌博作为情绪调节剂持不太赞成看法的人相比，抑郁症状水平升高并且将赌博视为缓和情绪状态的方式的人可能面临更高的问题赌博风险。这表明在制定教育和治疗计划时考虑赌徒的赌博预期可能会有所帮助，尤其是那些抑郁症状严重的赌徒。